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update on Richie Willett's speedster progress

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by n1gzd, Jan 11, 2010.

  1. gnichols
    Joined: Mar 6, 2008
    Posts: 11,405

    gnichols
    Member
    from Tampa, FL

    Tman,
    I know I'm a bit of a Johnny-come-lately when it comes to the personalities and history in motorsports and hot rods / custom cars, but it still seems a shame that there are dozens of neat folks and skilled craftsmen out there (young and old) that we may never hear about. I blame that on the print publishers mostly, not on my curiosity. I mean, if I ever see another book on the 32 Ford it will be far too soon! Or that famous flamed high-boy with the moon tank on the spreader bar? Anyone sick of that one yet? To keep inking up the presses for those cars is way past iconic, just MO-ironic. Sorry about the mini-rant...
    But this car and Richie are just too dammed amazing to be overlooked, eh? Others? Gary
     
  2. chriseakin
    Joined: Jan 21, 2009
    Posts: 397

    chriseakin
    Member

    I remember seeing a homeade IRS with inboard drum brakes in HRM when I was a teen (maybe 35-40 years ago) - I sorta remember the guy that built it was offering them for sale but I might be wrong. I sort of remember it was based on a Ford rear end.
    Chris
     
  3. I will get a date on the issue/s for ya. PM me if I don't get around tuit. I may have Dupes and can get you one.
     
  4. gnichols
    Joined: Mar 6, 2008
    Posts: 11,405

    gnichols
    Member
    from Tampa, FL

    Thanx... I hope to get to the museum when I'm out there next week! First timer to the GNRS. Gary
     
  5. 41 Dave
    Joined: May 23, 2005
    Posts: 2,594

    41 Dave
    Member

    Wow, Ol' Ritchie is at it again ! The motor and rear axle are just simply GORGEOUS ! Ritchie is like the King of one off fab work. Hope the speedster comes out to the West Coast for the Roadster show. Really want to see it in the flesh.

    Dave
     
  6. Here are some pictures of Richie's earlier efforts.If I have posted these before forgive me I'm old.:D

    I have pictures of a couple other cars but for some reason can't locate them;specifically his 32 Ford coupe with the chrome grille shell(I first saw it in 1959)and the Mystery Wrecker(which I had a hand in laying out the paint job and striping it)around 1974.
     

    Attached Files:

  7. unkledaddy
    Joined: Jul 21, 2006
    Posts: 2,865

    unkledaddy
    Member

    The third picture on top is Richie's speedster that my old friend John Merley owned for years. The hammered '39 behind it used to be mine.
    Thanks for the picture.
     
  8. flash
    Joined: Mar 12, 2001
    Posts: 652

    flash
    Member

    if anyone needs work done, richie's shop is the place to go. the guy is a magician! i can't wait to see that hal speedster on the road. good job on the photos rebecca...black and chrome are tough to shoot!
     
  9. How is John doing;I haven't seen him in years.I don't know if you recall when and where that picture was taken but there is a great story behind it.

    It was taken at Bill & Bob's Roast Beef in Woburn(?)and the person behind the wheel is Perry Souza.What is funny is that Perry got behind the wheel and then could not get out!We had to take the steering wheel off to extract him.I believe Dennis and Bryan Rota are in the background laughing.

    EDIT:I just re-read your post and you said that the 39 used to be yours?Are you Dave?
     
  10. unkledaddy
    Joined: Jul 21, 2006
    Posts: 2,865

    unkledaddy
    Member

    I haven't seen him in years either, since he and Phyllis moved to Winthrop.
    I still have a bunch of die-casts that I got from Perry. Haven't seen him either. For years I printed all the tee shirts for Dennis and Al at Body Craft Automotive. I moved here to east Tennessee in '94 and my name is Pete.
     
  11. RussTee
    Joined: Mar 25, 2008
    Posts: 1,241

    RussTee
    Member

    This only goes to show that truly great innovative rods are still being built in traditional style great to see craftmanship
     
  12. hotrodroadster32
    Joined: Oct 19, 2009
    Posts: 375

    hotrodroadster32
    Member
    from Mass


    Great picture of Perry stuffed in that little green T,we know Perry.
     
  13. Outback
    Joined: Mar 4, 2005
    Posts: 3,302

    Outback
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from NE Vic

    wow! looking forward to seeing more pics of it progressing!
     
  14. awesome creativity, with class workmanship.

    Quick question if I may, when the rear end assembly is fitted, will he be fitting a trailing control arm? given that neither the upper or lower 'links' are joined together, effectively he has a parallelogram both vertically and horizontally, with the only 'fore-aft' restraint being shown being the clevis's double shear mount.....which really isn't much in the scheme of things...(are these bushed at all?)

    Not aiming to knock it at all, as I'm impressed, and in admiration for the creativity and workmanship, but am I understanding it correctly? or is there more to the picture I can't see...yet.

    Cheers,

    Drewfus
     
  15. harpo1313
    Joined: Jan 4, 2008
    Posts: 2,589

    harpo1313
    Member
    from wareham,ma

    heres a pic,
     

    Attached Files:

  16. Slick Willy
    Joined: Aug 3, 2008
    Posts: 3,059

    Slick Willy
    Member

    That HAL motor will catch your eye and draw you in from 200 yards!
     
    volvobrynk likes this.
  17. RussTee
    Joined: Mar 25, 2008
    Posts: 1,241

    RussTee
    Member

    this build is also had some cover on the banger meet a good example of a modern build in the best of trad style
     
  18. Ol Deuce
    Joined: May 30, 2007
    Posts: 1,188

    Ol Deuce
    Member
    from Mt. U.S.A.

    Well Said ;) It is well Done............Ol Deuce
     
  19. 1934coupe
    Joined: Feb 22, 2007
    Posts: 5,243

    1934coupe
    Member

    Richie 8 months have gone by, the leaves are changing color again. How goes the speedster.

    Pat
     
    volvobrynk likes this.
  20. The37Kid
    Joined: Apr 30, 2004
    Posts: 32,410

    The37Kid
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    The rear axle was at the Ty Rods meet last month, I wonder what the chassis is based on?
     
  21. The37Kid
    Joined: Apr 30, 2004
    Posts: 32,410

    The37Kid
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Just got off the phone with Richie, hadn't talked with him in years, what a great Saturday suprise! The T Touring Speedster is back home after a 6 year stay in the Petersen. Can we get some updates on the current project? Bob
     
  22. This is why the H.A.M.B. RULES! We get to see these custom builds in progress!Richie's attention to detail & engineering are 2nd to none. Please keep us posted!
     
  23. tobyflh
    Joined: Nov 5, 2008
    Posts: 426

    tobyflh
    Member
    from Peru il

  24. Hitchhiker
    Joined: May 1, 2008
    Posts: 8,503

    Hitchhiker
    Member

    we're not worthy!
     
  25. DDDenny
    Joined: Feb 6, 2015
    Posts: 22,107

    DDDenny
    Member
    from oregon

    Giving this a bump because I'm too techno challenged to do it the right way.
    A little information regarding how to put an independant rearend in a traditional hotrod.
     
    volvobrynk likes this.
  26. Richie's cars are like jewelry.
     
  27. Amazing craftsmanship.
    Looking at this type of work helps us all to raise our standards, well most probably, I'm still a hack though compared to this. ;)
    Five years on since this thread was started, is this Speedster finished?
     
  28. The37Kid
    Joined: Apr 30, 2004
    Posts: 32,410

    The37Kid
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    How is he doing, a few photos of any of his projects would be a nice treat. Bob
     
    harpo1313 likes this.

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